State your opinion on the following statement: The policies adopted by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad are considered progressive.

Answer: I agree with the statement.

• Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad III of Baroda made primary education free and compulsory (experiment at Amreli in 1893, the whole state in 1906) and started public libraries.
• He passed laws against child marriage, permitted widow remarriage and worked against untouchability; he opened schools and hostels for backward classes and gave scholarships, including to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
• He encouraged industry, banking (Bank of Baroda, 1908), irrigation and good administration.
• Because these policies aimed at social equality, education and modernisation, they are considered progressive.